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Several companies, including U.S. ride-hailing company Uber
Technologies Inc <UBER.N>, are working on electric-powered
flying cars, amid increasing concerns about the environmental
impact of fossil-fuel intensive air travel.
Last month, Airbus <AIR.PA> rival Boeing announced a partnership
with automaker Volkswagen's <VOWG_p.DE> sports car brand,
Porsche, to develop a concept electric flying vehicle capable of
transporting people in urban environments.
Air Race E said the aircraft, called White Lightning and
unveiled at the Dubai Air Show, will be manufactured by UK-based
Condor Aviation.
The aircraft will use an electric motor that will carry it at
flight speeds of around 482 kilometers (300 miles) per hour on a
tight 5 kilometer (about 3 miles) circuit, just 10 meters above
the ground.
"The racing series will provide a test bed for innovation and
accelerate the journey towards electric commercial travel," Air
Race E Chief Executive Jeff Zaltman said.
Lithium batteries installed under the fuselage of the plane will
provide power for five minutes of high intensity racing and
around 10 minutes of reserve flying at reduced power, the firm
said.
Air Race E is aiming to be the world's first all-electric
airplane competition when it launches its inaugural series of
international races in 2020. It expects to this week name eight
teams for its first race.
(Reporting by Ankit Ajmera in Dubai; Editing by Sam Holmes)
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